A Pretty Thursday Between Gasps

This Ride: 23.5 miles
Month: 266.6 miles
2011: 2,474.1 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 8,593.8 miles

When I drug myself out of bed this morning I was convinced I was going to ride about 10 mph, crash into a tree, and be found about noon collapsed under said tree in a heap of nondescript humanity. The fatigue was so overwhelming I was already planning a nap for later in the day. On automatic pilot, I pulled on the same clothing (can’t we just add 5 degrees to the morning temperatures, please) and rolled out the door. I chose a lesser used route just to see if I could wake myself up, and rolled to the Rusty Bridge with about 6 miles on the Garmin. (The Rusty Bridge is 1.5 miles from my house.)

We had 6 riders out this morning and to call it a group ride would be generous. We started out as a group. At the Ranger Station, Dave turned to ride Jennings Road, which has been torn up for repaving. The rest of us stayed straight on the trail (after a near collision in a fit of confusion). We hammered down the trail at around 22-25 mph with Dan and Ben leading the pace. As they turned to go into Round Bay, I stayed straight on Old County Road. I saw a fox crossing the road. We’ve seen fox 2-3 times a week recently. I kept my heart rate between 150 & 160 for the most part, and was caught by both Dan and Ben on the trail well before the end of the trail. I overheard Dan telling Ben that when he passed Ben on the bridge, he was doing 27 mph. Dan was in racing mode this morning.

We semi-gathered at the end of the trail for the return trip, but soon were pretty strung out. I had a noise on the bike with each pedal stroke that I tried to get some help with diagnosis during our slower bits. Later, back on the trail, I checked in with Bryan and he rightfully told me that the noise was coming from the front wheel, not the pedals or bottom bracket. I tightened the front skewer at the Ranger Station, and the sound went away. There has been a rattle in the rear of the bike that has also confused me. When I got home, I discovered a broken spoke on the rear wheel, and will get that taken care of today.

It was a nice, fast morning. I thoroughly enjoyed it, even with the significant effort. I’m not planning a nap now, and I think I’ll make it through the day.